New Year, New Me: Finding My Nook Embellished With Kindness in 2026
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What’s done is done.
What was 2025 for you? No year is all good or all bad. For me, 2025 was—if I had to choose one word—sluggish. I tried and tried, and I failed and failed. It made me feel... well, stupid. But as the legendary author Ray Bradbury once said, “You have to learn to take rejection not as an indication of personal failing but as a wrong address.”
Setbacks aren’t the end. They’re detours—sometimes toward what you truly want, sometimes away from what you don’t. In 2025, I discovered both.
Someone once called me a perfectionist. They weren’t wrong. Every new year, I’d charge in, huffing and puffing, clinging to resolutions. It looked like strength. But it was exhausting.
We can’t control bad weather. We can’t control annoyances. Thunderstorms crash into the gentle tide, and suddenly, you’ve lost your rhythm. That was me—offbeat, off-track, and overwhelmed.
But here’s what I learned:
The only thing I can control is me.
So this year, I’m choosing kindness. Toward myself. Toward the process. Every day, I’ll say something kind to myself. Because just showing up is already amazing.
🌟 Word of the Month: Nook 🌟
For January 2026, I’m embracing the word “nook.”
A reading nook. A writing nook. A quiet corner of calm in a noisy world.
We don’t need to sprint just because it’s the start of the year. Let’s begin gently. Let’s begin intentionally.
"New Year, New Me" doesn’t have to mean a total transformation.
Sometimes, it just means finding your nook—and letting yourself grow from there.
Reading Nook Ideas for a Gentle Start
- Window Seat Sanctuary: Add a cushion, a throw blanket, and a stack of books by the window. Natural light + quiet = pure magic.
- Blanket Fort Revival: Who says blanket forts are just for kids? Drape some fairy lights, grab your favorite novel, and disappear for a while.
- Closet Turned Cozy Corner: Got an unused closet? Add a beanbag, a lamp, and a shelf. Instant hideaway!
- Outdoor Escape: If the weather allows, set up a chair and a thermos of tea on your balcony or porch. Nature makes every story better.
- Desk by the Window: Let the view inspire you. Add a plant, a candle, and your favorite notebook or laptop.
- Café Vibes at Home: Set up a small table with a warm drink, ambient music, and a “do not disturb” sign. Pretend you’re in your favorite coffee shop.
- Bedside Muse: Keep a journal and pen on your nightstand. Some of the best ideas arrive just before sleep or right after waking.
- Wall of Inspiration: Create a mini vision board above your desk with quotes, photos, and goals. Let your nook reflect your dreams.
P.S. Even if you’ve already shared your New Year’s resolutions with others, remember to pursue them for your own growth. It is far more satisfying to prove to yourself than to try to impress anyone else.